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Fade

(1988, Fiction - Fantasy, Written by Robert Cormier)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 14.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Dark tale of a good boy misled by temptation.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    A Ku Klux Klan meeting is briefly depicted. The meeting is broken up by outraged townspeople who oppose the Klan. While invisible, the main character spies on people and commits a murder, then vows never to use his powers again.

  • Violence:

    Portrays bullies beating up boys, a street riot, mayhem, and several graphically described murders.

  • Sex:

    Forthrightly portrays the sexual fantasies of a young teenage boy, a scene of prostitution involving a 13-year-old girl, and a scene of incest between a twin brother and sister, all filling the main character with horror and guilt.

  • Language:

    Frequent and extreme, though almost always used by villains or unsavory characters.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Fade

Parents need to know that in this story focuses on an otherwise good boy who succumbs to temptation, spies on people, and even commits murder but reforms. It also includes a vivid portrayal of Depression-era working conditions. Too long for reluctant readers, this is nonetheless a fascinating horror and morality story, with sensitive character portrayals punctuated by increasingly intense action.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the notion of becoming invisible. What could be come positive consequences of being invisible? What might be some negative results?
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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    db92
    Lives in Oklahoma
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 3.0

    controversial but suspensful

    sexual content, incest, brief language, and violence. fade has a very original and compelling story. I wouldnt recommend a child younger than high school to read it. for th issues i listed and because even for me the quick setting changes were somewhat confusing. It certainly is interesting and keeps you guessing. I researched further on it because i was unsure on whether it was based on a true story. The characters and their actions just seem so real. Even with the censored details, it is a good book to read.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Adult Reviewer
    winfall
    Lives in Kansas
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 0.0

    Sick Trash!

    Lots of profanity, sex, incest and violence. Teen boy lusts after his aunt, long descriptions of him having orgasms, etc. He watches a teen brother and sister have sex. Lots of savage killings. There appear to be no negative consequences for his actions.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  3. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it 5.0

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